Flashlight switch



Oct- 4, 1938. w. J. oFFlcE-R Er AL. 2,132,218

FLASHLIGHT SWITCH Filed June 6, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY.

Oct. 4, 1938. w. .1. OFFICER Er A1.

FLASHLIGHT SWITCH Filed June 6, 1.936 4 SheetS-Shee 2 INVENTOR,

y J affiner, fwlle Z h/Zwz,

0! w. m. 7 ATTORNEY.

lllllllllllll 147111/ Il /lllllll f I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I f Oct- 4, 1938- w. J. OFFICER ErAL 2,132,218

FLASHLIGHT SWITCH Filed June 6, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

Oct- 4, 1938- W. J. OFFICER r-:T AL 2,132,218

FLASHLIGHT SWITCH Filed June 6, 1936 n (7/ 5.9 y Z9 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 4, 1938 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLASHLIGHT SWITCH Wesley J. Officer, Hampden, and Orville T. Wood,

Clinton, Mass., assignors to Blake Manufacturing Corporation, Clinton, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application June 6, 1936, Serial No. 83,880

14 Claims. (Cl. 200-60) Our invention relatestoimprovements in ash- A preferred embodiment of our invention is light switches, and particularly to that type of illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in flashlight switch commonly known in the art as a Which:- three position, locking, slide switch. The three Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view of a positions inferred are an open circuit position, an switch construction, assembled on a ashlight 5 intermittentor ash position, in which the circuit casing, with the slide construction in open circuit is closed by intermittent pressure on some part of and locked position. the switch, and a closed circuit position or steady Fig- 2 1S a View Similar t0 Fig l, Showing the light position. slide construction in intermittent or flash posil0 This invention is an improvement on the switch tion. l0 construction disclosed in our copending applica- Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l, showing the tion led January 29th, 1935, Serial Number 3,934. slide construction in closed circuit position.

An object of this invention is to provide, in a Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View, taken on switch construction including a helical spring, the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

means co-operating with the helical spring for Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view, taken on l5 positioning a movable member relative to electhe line 5--5 of Fig. l. trical contacts associated with the switch con- Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the bottom slide struction. member.

A second object of this invention is to provide, Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view, taken on the in a slide switch, a slide construction comprising line 1 1 of Fig. 6. 20 one or more members movable relative to the Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the top slide switch housing and co-operating with a helical member. spring, and means on one of said members for Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of a double positioning and holding the spring. switch housing, incorporating the switch slide A third object of this invention is to provide, in construction and a second slide construction for 25 a slide switch embodying a two part slide cona diffusing sleeve member.

struction, co-operating interlocking means for Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional View, taken preventing relative side motion of the slide memon the line I0-l0 of Fig. 9. bers, so that the same slide construction may be Fig. 11 iS a horizontal seCtiOlial View, taken 0n used, either in a single switch housing, or in a the line l l-II of Fig. 9. 3o

double switch housing, similar to that illustrated Fig. 12 is a plan View of the portion of the in the Duo-lite flashlight disclosed in the patent casing enclosed within the double housing. to Oflicer and Seaver #1,969,320, issued August Fig. 13 is a perSDBCtVB View 0f the bOttOm '1, 1934. member used for the diffusing sleeve slide.

Other objects and advantages of this invention Fig. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view, illus- 35 wlllbemore completely disclosed and described in trating a modified form of flashlight switch. the accompanying drawings, the specification, Fig. 14a is a sectional view on the line 14a-Ma and the appended claims. l of Fig. 14.

Broadly, our invention comprises, in combina- Fig- 15 iS a Dian View O the COied Spring, ShOWn tion with a supporting member and a switch lead, in Fig. 14- l 40 a housing, a slide construction within the hous- Fig. 16 iS a View Similar t0 Fig. 14,11iust1ating a ing comprising a top member and a bottom memfurther modification. ber independently movable, relative to each other, Fig 17 iS a plan View 0f the COilGCi SDTHg, ShOwn vertically but relatively immovable longitudinally in Fig- 16! and transversely, a helical spring between the Fig. 18 iS a View Similar t0 Fig. 14, illustrating 45 top and bottom members for normally spacing another modification, and

the members, an operating button secured on Fig. 19 is a plan View of the coiled spring, shown one of the members, electrical contact means on in Fig. 18. the switch lead and exposed within the housing, Referring now to the drawings in detail, in

o0 open circuit, flash, and closed circuit positions which like numerals refer to like parts through- 50 in the housing, operative connecting means beout:-

tween the spring and one of the members, and The flashlight construction, shown in Figs. 1 8, means on the spring co-operating with the posiinclusive, will be first described. tions in the housing for positioning the slide con- A metallic switch lead I is secured on a strip 2 of .55 struction, relative to the electrical contacts. fiber, or other suitable insulating material by means of rivets or eyelets 3 and 4, which also serve asV contact members for closing the electrical circuit. The strip 2 is secured on the inner surface of a casing 5 by means of rivets or eyelets 6, and a housing 'I is secured on the outer surface of the casing 5 by means of rivets or eyelets 8 (see Fig. 5). Openings 9 in the casing 5 and an opening I5 in the switch lead I provide clearance for preventing a short in the electrical circuit.

A slide construction including a top member I I, bottom member I2, and helical, expansible spring I3, is conned within the housing l, and may be ymoved longitudinally within the housing 'I by manipulation of a button I4 which projects upwardly through an opening I5 in the housing 'I and which is secured to the top member I I by engagement of tabs I 6 formed on the button I4 in slots ll, formed in the member II. Transverse movement ofthe member II within the housing 'I is prevented by engagement of the button I4 against the sides of the opening I 5. ,Transverse movement of the bottom member I2, relative to the top member II, is prevented by engagement of the member I2 against aside wall I of the housing 'I and by engagement of lugs I 8 formed on the member I2 with end walls I9 of the member I I. As shown in Figs. 4 and 8, the end walls I3 are cut away at 20 to provide for the lugs I8 and to permit vertical movement of the member I2, relative to the member II. Longitudinal movement of the member I2, relative to the member I I, is prevented by engagement of oppositely extending portions 2| and 22 on the member I 2 with the end walls I9 on the member I I. 'Ihe end walls I 9, of the member I I, are bent inwardly to form inwardly extending flange portions 23 and 24, and the portions 2l and 22 of the member I2 are movable freely Vin a vertin cal direction between the portions 23 and 24, re-

spectively, and the main body, or top portion of the member I I.

The bottom member I2 is formed with a base portion 25 having the opposite edges 25 and 21 thereof bent upwardly, as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, to assist in retaining the helical, eXpansible spring I3, which is inserted between the members I I and I2 and normally exerts a force to normally space these members apart, the limit of this movement being the space between the casing 5 and top I of the housing 'I. An end 28, of the spring I3, is engaged in a notch 29 formed in a downwardly extending side ilange 35 on the top member Il, and the opposite end 3l of the spring I3 is formed with a hooked, or bent portion 32, for engagement in station-grooves 33, 34, and 35, formed in the side 'I' of the housing 1.

The normal, or open circuit position, of the slide is shown in Fig. 1. In this position, the slideV is securely locked against accidental movement by engagement of a downwardly extending lug 35 formed in the housing 'I in a slot 3l formed in the member II. Also, the portion 32 of the spring I3 is engaged in the groove 33, as indicated in Figs. l and 4. It will be noted, that in this position, no portion of the slide may be brought into engagement with either of the contacts 3 or 4. If the flange 24 is pushed downwardly, it will notcontact the rivet 3. To move the slide from this open circuit'position, the button I4 is pushed downwardly, thus clearing the member II from the locking lug 36, then, forwardly, untilthe portion 32 of the spring I3 snaps into either of the grooves 34 or 35, as desired. In the intermittent, or flash position, indicated in Fig. 2, the portion 32 of the spring I3 is engagedin the intermediate station groove 34, and downward pressure on the button I4 will engage the flange 24 on the contact rivet 3. In the closed circuit position, indicated in Fig. 3, the portion 32 of the spring I3 is engaged inthe groove 35, and the base portion 25 of the bottom member is located on the contact rivet 4. In this position of the slide, pressure on the button I4 may be removed without disturbing the electric circuit.

In flashlights embodying this type of switch, it is customary to include either the casing 5, or housing 1, in the electric circuit, as a ground.

An adaptation of the switch construction, described above, to a ashlight having a diffusing sleeve, (not shown), actuated by an operating strip, or member, slidably supported on the inside of the ashlight casing, is illustrated in Figs. 9-13, inclusive.` A switch construction identical with that shown in Figs. 1-8, inclusive, is enclosed within a double housing 38, one-half 39 of which is similar to the housing 'I, and the other half 40 adapted to receive a slide construction, asclearly illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. In the construction, shown in Fig. 10, an operating strip or member 4 I for a diffusing sleeve (not shown) is slidably secured on the inside of the casing 5 by means of eyelets, orV rivets 42, which extend outwardly through slots 43, formed in the casing 5, and are secured on a bottom slide member 44. rI'he bottom member 44 is engaged, in the same manner as the member I2, in a top member 45, on which is secured an operating button 46. The bottom member 44 (see Fig. 13) is provided with raised side flanges 4l for retaining a helical spring 48. 'Ihe top member 45 is formed with a ridge, or projection 4S, which may be engaged either in a slotV 50, formed in the portion 45 of the housing 38 for the button45, or in a groove 5I, formed in the portion 45, as indicated in Fig. 10; co-operation of the groove 5l and slot 5E! with the ridge 49 marking the limits of movement of the member 4 I. Y An end 52 of the spring 48 may be retained'in a slot 53, formed in a side flange 54 of the top member 45, in a similar manner to the switch construction. In Fig. 11, an alternative arrangementof stations for the diusing sleeve slide is illustrated. In this construction, the two station position grooves 55 and 56 are formed in the side of the housing 38, similarly to the grooves 33, 34, andv 35 for the switch, and the spring 48 is provided rwith a hooked or bent end 5l which co-operates with the grooves 55 and 56. f -Y A modification of the slide construction, incor porating a coiled, or helical spring', is illustrated in Figs. 14-19, inclusive. In this construction, a coiled spring is used and so placed as to position its aXis approximately perpendicular to the sidesV of the housing, instead of to the top o f 'x the housing, Yas previously disclosed. The effect of this construction is to eliminate the bottom member of the slide and utilize the torsional force of the spring in the operation of the slide. In the construction, illustrated in- Fig. 14`and Fig. 15, a housing 6I) is secured on ra casing 6I, in any suitable manner, and a bottom plate E2 is secured within the housing in such a manner, as to provide a space 63, between the casing 6| .and plate 62. An insulated switchV lead 64 is secured on the underside of the plate V[i2 and has portions thereof strippedof insulation and bent upwardlyV at S5 and 65 lto project through openings 67 in the plate'52 and serve as electrical contacts. The switch lead 64 enters thev casing 5I, through an opening 68, formed in the casing 6I. An advantage of this construction is the ability to assemble the switch construction, in-

cluding the switch lead, completely, before installationonfithe casing. A top slide member 69, provided in the usual manner with an operating button 46, is normally held in spaced relation to the plate 62 and against the top of the housing 60 by a coiled spring member 10, which is held in position, relative to the member 69 by engagement of an end 1| thereof in an opening 12, formed in the member 69. The opposite end 13 ofv thespring. 1B is formed with a hook, or bent portion 14, which snaps into place in the position grooves 15, 16, and 11, formed in the fixed plate 62, as the slide is moved from one position to another. The electrical contacts are made in a similar manner to that described for Figs.Y 1, 2, and 3, the flange 18 on the member 69 being engaged intermittently, by pressure on the button 46, on the contact 66, and the spring 10 being engaged on the contact 65 for continuous contact. Side flanges 19, on the member 69,' serve as retainers for the spring 1U. Fig. 14a shows the relative lateral position of lead 64 and position grooves 15, 16, and 11.

Inthe construction, shown in Figs. 16 and 11, a spring .80, similar to the spring 10, is used. The spring is retained between side flanges 8| on a top slide member 82, and the flanges 8l are bent inwardly and notched at 83 to engage the spring 80, an end 84 of the spring 80 is extended and bears on the outer surface of the batteryreceiving casing 5, and the opposite end 85 of the spring 80 is also extended and formed with a hooked, or bent portion 86, which projects through an opening 81 in the member 82, to engage in the position grooves 88 formed in the fixed housing 89. The electric circuit is closed, either by engagement of a flange 90 on the member 82, on the contact 3, or by engagement of the spring 80 on the contact 4.

'Ihe construction illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19 is similar to that shown in Figs. 16 and 17, except an end 92 of the spring 9| is retained in an opening 12 in the member 69, as in Fig. 14, and the opposite end 93 of the spring 9| is provided with a hooked, or bent portion 94 which may be engaged in the position grooves 95, formed in the housing 96,.A

What we claim is:-

l. In a circuit closer for flashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively fixed part comprising a battery containing casing'portion and housing means relatively fixed with respect to the casing portion and formed with an opening and enclosing a switch contact, said relatively fixed part being formed with a plurality of recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation, and a movable member part relatively loosely received in the housing means and adapted to be reciprocated therein, manually engageable means carried with the movable member part and disposed in the opening of the housing means to effect movement of said movable member part, and a coil spring carried with the movable member part whereof at least one free end extends away from the coils, said movable member part being formed with a cut-away portion receiving a portion of the coil spring and thereby positioning the coil spring with respect thereto, said free end being selectively engaged with the recesses, respectively.

2. In a circuit closer for flashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively fixed part comprising a battery containing casing portion and housing means relatively fixed withrespect tothe casing portion and formed with an opening and enclosing a switch contact, said relatively fixed part being formed with a plurality of recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation, and a movable member part relatively loosely received in the housing means and adapted to be reciprocated therein, manually engageable means carried with the movable member part and disposed in the opening of the housing means to effect movement of said movable member part, a coil spring carried with the movable member part whereof at least one free end extends away from the coils, said movable member part being formed with a cut-away portion receiving a portion of the coil spring and thereby positioning the coil spring with respect thereto, said free end being selectively engaged with the recesses, respectively, and means carried with the movable member part to make electrical connection with the switch contact.

3. In a circuit closer for flashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively fixed part comprising a battery containing casing portion and housing means relatively fixed with respect to the casing portion and formed with an opening and enclosing spaced switch contacts, said relatively xed part being formed with a plurality of recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation, a'nd a movable member part re1- atively loosely received in the housing means and adapted to be reciprocated therein, manually engageable means carried with the movable member part and disposed in the opening of the housing means to effect movement of said movable member part, a coil spring carried with the movable member part whereof at least one free end extends away from the coils, said movable member part being formed with a cut-away portion receiving a portion of the coil spring and thereby positioning the coil spring with respect thereto, said free end being selectively engaged with the recesses, respectively, and means carried with the movable member part to make electrical connection with the switch contacts selectively.

4. In a circuit closer for flashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, al relatively fixed part comprising a battery containing casing portion and housing means relatively fixed with respect to the casing portion and formed with an opening and enclosing a switch contact, said relatively fixed part being formed with a plurality of recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation, and a movable member part relatively loosely received in the housing means and adapted to be reciprocated therein, manually engageable means carried with the movable member part and disposed in the opening of the housing means to effect movement of said movable member part, and a coil spring carried with the movable member part, said movable member part being formed with a cut-away portion receiving a free end of the coil spring and thereby positioning the coil spring with respect thereto, the other free end of the coil spring being selectively engaged with the recesses, respectively.

5. In a circuit closer for flashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively fixed part comprising a battery containing casing portion and a housing relatively fixed with respect to the casing portion and formed with an opening and enclosing a switch contact, said relatively fixed part being formed with a plurality of recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation, a composite member part relatively loosely received in the housing and slidable on the casing portion, said composite member comprising a 75 first member, `asecond member, interengaging means for the iirstV and second member limiting separating movement of said members, a coil spring normally urging said rst and second members away from one another and manually engageable means carried with said Vcomposite member and disposed in the opening of the housing to effect movement of said first and second members in vertical and horizontal planes to selectively make contact with the switch contact, said movable member 'part being formed with a cut-away portion securing a free end of the coil spring, the other free end being selectively engaged with the recesses, respectively.

6. In a circuit closer for flashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively fixed part comprising a battery containing casing portion and a housing relatively fixed with respect to the casing portion and formed with an opening and enclosing spaced switch contacts, said relatively xed part being formed with a plurality of recesses disposed in predetermined spacedv relation, a composite member part relatively loosely received in the housing and slidable on the casing portion, said composite member comprising a rst member, a second member, interengaging means for the first and second member limiting. separating movement of said members, a coil spring normallyv urging said rst and second members away from one another and manually engageable means carried with said composite member and disposed in the opening of thehousing to effect movement of said rst and. second members in vertical and horizontal planes to selectively make contact with the switch contacts, said movable member part being formed with a cut-away portion securing a free end of Vthecoil spring, theother free end being selectively engaged with the recesses, respectively.

'7. A manually actuatable member for controlling the light emitted from flashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively xed part comprising a battery containing casing portion and housing means relatively iixed with respect to the casing portion and formed with an opening, a composite member part relatively loosely received in the housing and slidable on the casing portion, said composite member-comprising a rstmember having downwardly directed ends each of which is formed with an inwardly directed flange, a second member having upwardly directed ends each of which is formed with an outwardly directed flange in cooperative engagementfwith the rst named flanges to limit separating movement of said members, a coil yIfiprirsfg normally urging said first and second lrcmbers away from one another, said relatively xed part being formed with a plurality of recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation, said movable member part being formed 'with means engaging the spring, a free end of said spring being selectively Yengaged with said recesses, respectively.

f 8-.'A manually actuatable member for controlling' the light emitted from ilashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively fixed part comprising a battery containing casingV portion and housing means relatively xed with respect to the casing portion and formed with'an opening, a composite member part relatively loosely received in the housing and slidable on the casing portion, said composite member comprising a rst member having downwardly directed ends each of which isrformed with an inwardly directed iiange, a second member having upwardly. directed endsA each. of which is formed with. an outwardly directed flange in cooperative engagement with the rst named flanges to limit separating movement of said members, a coil spring normally urging said rst and second members away from one another, said relatively fixed part being formed with a plurality. of recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation, said movable member part being formed with flanges to ooniine the spring, a free end of said spring .being selectively engaged with said recesses, respectively. I

9. A manually actuatable member for controlling the light emitted from flashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively fixed part comprising a battery containing casing portion and housing means relatively xed with respect to the casing portion and formed with an opening, said relatively fixed part being formed with a plurality of recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation, and a movable member part relatively loosely `received in the housing means,v and` adapted to be reciprocated therein, manuallyrengageable means carried with the movable member part and disposed in the opening of the housing means to effect movement of said movable member part, a coil spring carried with the movable member part whereof at least one free end extends away from theY coils, said movable member part being formed with a cutaway portion receiving a portion of the coil spring and thereby positioning the coil spring with respect thereto, said free end being selectively en.- gaged with the recesses, respectively.

10. A manually actuatable member for controlling the light emitted from ashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively fixed part comprising a battery containing casing portion and housing means relatively ixed. with respect to the casing portion and'formed with an opening, a composite member part relatively loosely received in the housing. and slidable on the casing portion, sai-d composite member comprising a first member having downwardly, directed ends each of which is formed with an inwardly directed ange, a lug on each flange, a second member having upwardly kdirected ends each of which is formed with an outwardly directed iiange inv cooperative engagement with the lug on the i'irst named flanges to limit relative movement of said members, a coil spring normally urging said first and second members away from one another, said relatively xed part being vformed with a plurality of recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation, said secondv memberV being formed with a recess engagingv the spring, a free end of said spring being selectively engaged with said rst named recesses, respectively.

11. A manually actuatable member for controlling the light emitted from ilashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively xed part comprising a battery containing casing portion and housing means relatively 'fixed with urging said first and second members awayA from one another, said relatively iixed part being formed with a plurality of recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation.

12. A manually actuatable member for controlling the light emitted from flashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively iixed part comprising a battery containing casing portion and housing means relatively fixed with respect to the casing portion and formed with an opening and a recess, said relatively ilxed part being formed with a plurality of recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation, and a movable member part relatively loosely received in the housing means and adapted to be reciprocated therein and formed with projecting means disposed in the opening in one position thereof and in the recess in another position thereof, manually engageable means carried with the movable member part and disposed in the opening of the housing means to effect movement of said member part, a coil spring carried with the movable member part whereof at least one free end extends away from the coils, said movable member part being formed with a cut-away portion receiving a portion of the coil spring and thereby positioning the coil spring with respect thereto, said free end being selectively engaged with the recesses, respectively.

13. In a circuit closer for ilashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively fixed part comprising a battery containing casing portion and housing means relatively xed with respect to the casing portion and formed with an opening and enclosing a switch contact, said relatively fixed part being formed with a plurality of recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation, and a movable member part relatively loosely received in the housing means and adapted to be reciprocated therein, manually engageable means carried with the movable member part and disposed in the opening of the housing means to effect movement of said movable member part, and a coil spring carried with the movable member part whereof the free ends extend away from the coils, said movable member part being formed with a cut-away portion receiving a portion of the coil spring and thereby positioning the coil spring with respect thereto, a free end being selectively engaged with the recesses, respectively. the other free end being adapted to engage the contact.

14. In a circuit closer for ashlights and electric hand lanterns, in combination, a relatively xed part comprising a battery containing casing portion and housing means relatively fixed with respect to the casing portion and formed with an opening and enclosing a switch contact, a member in the housing means having recesses disposed in predetermined spaced relation, and a movable member part relatively loosely received in the housing means and adapted to be reciprocated therein, manually engageable means carried with the movable member part and disposed in the opening of the housing means to eiect movement of said movable member part, and a coil spring carried with the movable member part whereof at least one free end extends away from the coils, said movable member part being formed with a cut-away portion receiving a portion of the coil spring and thereby positioning the coil spring with respect thereto, said free end being selectively engaged with the recesses, respectively.

WESLEY J. OFFICER. ORVILLE T. WOOD. 

